Dense pine and spruce forests give the Black Hills of South Dakota the coloring from which they derived their name. The area is famous for its many natural and historic attractions, which include Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Monument, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial. Explore the forest roads on your dirt bike to discover more natural attractions, such as the area’s abundant wildlife, sparkling streams and lakes hidden in the dense forests below granite outcroppings.

Trails

You’ll find about 5,000 miles of dirt roads and trails winding through the 1.2 million-acre Black Hills National Forest. Trails range from maintained dirt roads to unmaintained trails for vehicles 62 inches or less. A few motorcycle-only trails are found in the Mystic and Northern Hills ranger districts. Dirt bikers are a common site riding over the dirt hills and grassy outcroppings at Railroad Buttes ORV area, which is found on the north edge of the city limits of Farmingdale. Make sure the weather is dry before heading out, as the clay turns to a slippery, chain-clogging mud called “gumbo” by the locals.

Requirements

There is no minimum riding age in South Dakota, but you must purchase a Black Hills Motorized Trail Permit to utilize the trail system. The most recent copy of the motorized vehicle use permit is included with the price of your permit, and shows which trails are open seasonally and which are open year-round. You are required to stay on the trails unless you are in one of a few small open riding areas scattered throughout the forest.

Related Activities

Granite outcroppings poke from the dense forested hills, towering over streams and lakes where you can stop and cast your line for trout and other sport fish with a valid state fishing license. You’ll also find campgrounds convenient to the trail system where you can stay close to the action. The campgrounds do not provide hookups, but have restroom facilities, picnic tables and fire rings. You can also camp at a dispersed site of your choosing using Leave No Trace ethics. You may not have a campfire at a dispersed site in the South Dakota portion of the forest.

Bring Your Camera

The picturesque scenery is home to a wide range of wildlife. Look for bighorn sheep, mountain lion and mountain goats on the rocky granite peaks. Mule deer and elk thrive in the forests, and you may see bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs and marmots. Bird watchers can find species that don’t exist in the rest of the state, such as several species of jay, ruffed grouse, black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers, and American dippers. Use a telephoto lens to photograph, and bring a spotting scope or binoculars if you just want to observe.